Rise

Melanie

Waking up in my room, surrounded by my things. It almost seems like everything that has happened to seem like a dream. I expect Athena to come rushing in, asking questions like where I have been and what's been going on. I run through the story rise instructed us all to say. That the night of Adara's ascension day there was an attack. Fin, Alana, I and the royal children of Ventus, Glacies, Ignis, and Silva are capture and questioned about war and our plans involving our finances. I do not know where Alana is, she was not released.

I stand from my bed, still fuzzy after a long days rest. Three maids sweep in, fixing my hair and putting me in clothes. Fifteen minutes later I was stuffed into tight black leggings and a beautiful royal blue blouse with a small train of ruffles that goes down to my thighs. I slip on matching blue pumps, uncomfortable but a requirement of my Athena. I try to keep myself as ladylike as possible for her, all she wants is her perfect princess and Alana sure won't give in to her wishes.

something about that test that Rise gave me changed something inside of me. Made me almost... stronger. I use to stay quiet and do as told, but I no longer want to be that woman. I want to do something other than sitting still and looking pretty.

I bust into my brother's room. The walls are a navy blue and are cluttered with shelves filled with notebooks and papers. A king size, mahogany canopy bed occupies the right wall, the matching navy pillows, and grey blankets are folded pristinely. The navy blue and deep grey are our country's colors, he takes his work seriously and his pride for this country runs deep. I don't understand how can even pass rise's evaluation, but then again I may not know my brother as well as I think. A note place under his pillow draws my attention. A corner of the letter pointing out from underneath. I grab the note, unfolding it and reading the chicken scratch written inside.

I've been told by many of your servants that you are in your study, I left this here for you to find when you return. If you need resources of any kind, put a candle by your window. Then I will meet you in Lence. At a place called Rogue. Burn this when you are done. May we rise.

As usual, he usually spends his days in our personal study. So I begin to make my way there, guards flanking me on both of my sides. I'm used to it. It is like that before I was taken, it would only make sense for it to be like that now. I stop when I reach the study door, putting a hand up to tell them to wait here.

the study is pristine and polished. Every piece of writing either dusted clean or used so much that no dust can ever accumulate. This was my parent's study years ago. Now that Athena refuses to step inside of the room, it's a safe haven for me and my brother and sister. We spend most our days there, well I do at least. Fin is too busy trying to rule, and Alana is too busy fighting with Athena to ever be in here.

My brother sits in one of our lounging chairs, his eyes scanning the pages of a book. For once it isn't about anything that can help our country. It's a book meant for pleasure. 'visions of freedom' is scrawled in small pretty golden letters. His eyebrows furrowing as he gets to the end of the page, glancing up at me before turning the page and starting from the top. When I take a minute and really look at him, anger bubbling in my stomach. Fin knows what he did, the only reason I am here to see him is because of our mission. He is the only one who will be able to get through to Athena, Rise knows that, and I know that. That's why he sent him, but me? I don't know why I am here. I can't help win over Athena I can't help when the attack begins. I can be with my sister right now but instead, I'm sitting here with the wrong sibling, in the wrong place working on the wrong mission.

"you stare so much I feel like you are trying to set me on fire." He looks up at me, setting down the book before continuing.

"I'm sorry. Wrong ability" I sit down in Alana's chair, gently running my hands against the white leather armrest.